Personal growth never stops, especially for a coach. Whether you want to deepen your inner work, pick up new coaching skills, or collect new tools to use with clients, continual education is essential for a successful practice.
And there’s no better way to do that than stacking up on the best life coaching books. Here are a few we hand-picked for your bookshelf.
The Best Books About Life Coaching
1. Co-Active Coaching by Henry Kinsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House, Phil Sandahl and Laura Whitworth
Co-Active Coaching shares the combined wisdom of Henry Kinsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House, Phil Sandahl, and Laura Whitworth. It’s been one of the most popular coaching books since its publication in 1998.
It’s written by the founders of The Coaches Training Institute, so the methods and tools used within this book are tried and tested with plenty of clients. It’s an excellent choice for new and seasoned professionals, perhaps the most fleshed-out guide you’ll find outside of an actual coaching program.
2. Transformational Life Coaching by Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott and Lynn U. Stewart
If you’re looking for the “OG” guide to coaching, then look no further than Transformational Life Coaching. This book will teach you how to navigate the industry, how to turn negative experiences into successes, and how to engage with your clients in a meaningful way.
It’s an exquisite all-rounder and is possibly the best option out there for those looking to make outstanding coach-client connections.
3. The Life Coaching Handbook by Curly Martin
Another excellent resource for becoming an effective coach is The Life Coaching Handbook from Curly Martin. It’s based on the teachings of the American Board of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ABNLP).
Packed with ideas and tools for coaches, it’s a great book to have in your arsenal if you’ve got a client who isn’t responding well to your current methods.
4. Coaching Questions by Tony Stoltzfus
The list wouldn’t be complete without Coaching Questions: A Coach’s Guide to Powerful Asking Skills by Tony Stoltzfus. It’s the most detailed manual on powerful asking skills and a bank of over 1,000 questions you can use with clients in various scenarios.
5. Walks of Life by Jill Fratto
If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to becoming a life coach, we highly recommend checking out Walks of Life by Jill Fratto.
This book is excellent at breaking down the business side of coaching. It clearly explains start-up costs, how to set your rates, and other business considerations that can puzzle even the most experienced coaches.
Beyond serving as a practical guide, Walks of Life is great for igniting your entrepreneurial spirit with all the necessary information to hit the ground running.
6. Becoming a Professional Life Coach by Diane S. Menendez and Patrick Williams
The sheer level of knowledge that Becoming a Professional Life Coach imparts makes it worth purchasing.
It covers everything from the origin of coaching to the fundamentals of listening and session preparation. This book is a fantastic reference guide for any coach starting in the field.
7. Prosperous Coach by Rich Litvin and Steve Chandler
If you’re searching for an exceptional coaching guide, The Prosperous Coach by Rich Litvin and Steve Chandler is a game-changer. This bestseller from 2013 delves into impactful coaching techniques and explains how you can build a thriving six-figure coaching business.
This powerful duo explains how you can take your coaching abilities to the next level by showing your clients what they cannot see and telling them what no one else would dare to say.
The clients of Rich Litvin and Steve Chandler include Olympic athletes, CEOs, Hollywood film directors, Special Forces operatives, serial entrepreneurs, and high-level coaches. With a wealth of knowledge and real-world examples, this book is a must-read for those who want to build a prosperous practice.
The Best Self-Development Books for Life Coaches
8. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
When The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was initially published back in 1989, it was a revelatory hit, and it continues to have the same effect today.
This book teaches you how to be proactive and handle difficult personal situations, making it an excellent coaching tool. It encourages readers to address their fundamental behaviors and forge their own paths in life.
9. The Power of Self-Coaching by Dr. Joseph J. Luciani
The Power of Self-Coaching by Dr. Joseph J. Luciani is a true gem. It helps you identify problems within your current practice and resolve them to become a better coach.
It teaches you how to apply specific tools in your own life and with your clients. As a practicing clinical psychologist, Dr. Luciani knows his stuff and can provide a fresh perspective for coaches.
10. The Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani
For those seeking transformative perspectives about life and society, The Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani is a must-read. This enlightening book helps you identify areas in your life with immense growth potential and equips you with the tools to overcome your limiting beliefs.
It opens your eyes to how you have been shaped by your parents, environment, and society as a whole and guides you through a practical process of choosing your own conscious beliefs—instead of the ones that aren’t serving you anymore.
With Mindvalley CEO Vishen Lakhiani’s profound insights and expertise in personal transformation, this book is a beacon of wisdom for those ready to embark on an extraordinary path of self-discovery and empowerment. No wonder it became a New York Times bestseller.
The Best Health Coaching Books
11. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
One of the best books for health coaches is undoubtedly Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe by Christopher McDougall. Guaranteed to take you by surprise with its brazen discussion of the human mind and spirit, it’s an inspirational read that will motivate any client currently stuck in a health rut.
12. The Intuitive Eating Workbook by Evelyn Tribole
The other life coaching book that we feel is crucial for health coaches is The Intuitive Eating Workbook. With a total overhaul of diet culture, it’s a must-read for coaches who want to guide clients toward a healthy relationship with their bodies.
It offers a comprehensive and evidence-based program that helps coaches understand the connection between mind and body.
Bonus: 3 Books Life Coaches Love
We felt that this list couldn’t be complete without these two classics. Although they aren’t known as life coaching books, they provide tremendous insights and wisdom on courage and vulnerability, something we can all use more of.
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway has a revolutionary approach to life’s great challenges. Life coaches often find themselves paralyzed by the fear of failure and often, these fears are rooted in past trauma and uncertainty. So, if you feel something in you is simply stuck, this book may provide the insight you need to become your best self.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Have you ever wondered why you approach things in a certain way? Or why your clients aren’t picking up what you’re laying down during your sessions? Brene Brown, an academic expert in human behavior, might just have the answers to these questions in The Gifts of Imperfection.
She delves into what she calls “wholehearted living” and why this may look different from one person to the next. This book is excellent for learning about self-compassion, resilience, letting go of self-comparison and the dangers of self-doubt. These topics will help you flourish as a coach and help your clients deal with their struggles.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
The Artist’s Way, a classic by Julia Cameron, provides a transformative journey into creativity and personal growth. While not a conventional coaching book, it serves as a powerful resource to unlock the creative potential of your clients and help them live more fully.
Julia Cameron’s expertise as an artist and writer shines through as she guides readers through her 12-week program designed to unleash their artistic talents and enhance their overall well-being.
If you want to infuse your coaching practice with a fresh perspective on creativity and self-discovery, this book is a treasure trove of inspiration and practical exercises.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
In Atomic Habits, James Clear explores the science behind habit formation and offers a step-by-step guide to developing lasting habits. He emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes that can lead to significant long-term improvements.
The book provides actionable strategies, such as habit stacking and the 2-minute rule, to help you (or your clients) build positive behaviors and eliminate detrimental ones. It’s an invaluable resource for coaches guiding clients through sustainable behavior change and personal growth.
Mindset by Carol S. Dweck
Carol Dweck’s Mindset explains how one’s frame of mind profoundly impacts their success and ability to overcome challenges. The book contrasts “fixed” mindsets, which assume abilities are static, with “growth” mindsets, which believe that skills and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning.
Dweck’s research illustrates how adopting a growth mindset fosters resilience, enhances performance, and encourages continuous improvement. Coaches will find this book essential for helping clients reframe their beliefs and unlock their full potential.
The Takeaway…
If we can leave you with one thing to think about, it’s that regardless of where you are on your coaching journey, there are always opportunities to develop advanced skills and better understand the world around you.
So, keep adding to that reading list, as you never know what hidden gems you may uncover within the pages of a good book!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has since been updated for accuracy.
